[ { "id": 250263, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-079 - Public Offices - 1860", "page_number": 413, "title": "CO129-079 - Public Offices - 1860", "content_text": "Dr. DIE.\n\n411\n\nd of\n\nbe\n\nhad continued to play upon the enemy as long as it was possible to do without injury to our advancing Cavalry.\n\nAbout this time Stirling's half-battery, which being unable to follow the movements of Cavalry in such heavy ground, had been left with an escort of 30 of Fane's Horse, under Lieutenant Macgregor, was charged by a body of Tartar Cavalry of very superior numbers. Lieutenant Macgregor gallantly led his small party against the enemy and defeated them, many Tartars being killed, and Lieutenant Macgregor and many of his men being severely wounded.\n\nWhilst this was going on, my attention had been diverted from my right front to a large party of Tartars, who were steadily approaching the Buffs, on the left front, apparently regardless of the fire of two of Milward's guns under Lieutenant Harvey, of the Rifles, of the advanced guard, and of Rolton's rockets. They advanced to within 450 yards, and bore unflinchingly for a considerable time such a fire as would have tried any troops in the world. The 4th Brigade, under Brigadier Reeves, being similarly attacked at the same time, replied with a steady fire, which did considerable execution.\n\nAt length the courageous endurance of the enemy began to give way, and they fled from the field with precipitation.\n\nI then advanced my force towards the western end of the village of Sin-ho, and joined the Allied columns.\n\nAt no time throughout the day had we opportunity of coming into contact with the enemy's Infantry.\n\nTrusting that the objects intended by his Excellency have been carried out by the force under my command, I beg to bring to his notice the excellent conduct and discipline of the troops of all arms, during a very trying day.\n\nI am much indebted to the Brigadiers commanding the several brigades of Cavalry and of Infantry, and to the Officer commanding the Field Artillery, all of whom performed the duties intrusted to them to my entire satisfaction.\n\nI received the most valuable assistance from my divisional and personal staff, whose labours were unremitting.\n\nI beg to subjoin a list of officers whom I desire to earnestly recommend to his Excellency's favourable consideration.\n\nTo Captain Biddulph,\n\nSIR,\n\nMilitary Secretary.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) R. NAPIER, Major-General,\n\nCommanding 2d Division China Force.\n\nDESPATCH from Major-General MICHEL to Sir J. HOPE GRANT.\n\nHead Quarters, 1st Division, Camp, near Sun-ho, August 24, 1860.\n\nI HAVE the honour to report that, in obedience to the orders of his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, the 1st Division, under my command, marched from Pehtang about half-past 10 A.M. on the 12th instant.\n\nOn reaching the enemy's second picket-house, which is about 900 yards from their entrenched position, skirmishers of the 1st Royals were sent to the left, and some of the 31st to the right, and shortly afterwards Colonel Barry's Battery of Armstrong's guns, and Captain Martin's Battery of 9-pounders (the whole under the command of Captain Desborough), opened fire on the enemy's entrenchment at a distance of about 800 yards; after a cannonade of twenty-five minutes, the enemy's Cavalry were seen moving to their left from the entrenchments.\n\nThe guns then advanced to within 500 yards, and played on the enemy's position, as also on the Cavalry who were moving to their right; the fire of two Armstrong guns quickly dispersed their Cavalry, and in a few minutes the advance was sounded, and the enemy's position found to be abandoned.\n\nThe enemy now retired to the entrenched village of Sin-ho, but Sir Robert Napier's Division having turned their left, the Cavalry of the enemy, in large numbers, escaped behind this village towards the Peiho Forts.\n\nThe Armstrong guns, at a range of from 2,000 to 2,500 yards, made good practice on the fugitives.\n\nThis engagement having been entirely that of Artillery, only one man of the Division was wounded,\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed)\n\nJ. MICHEL, Maj.-Gen.,\n\nCommanding 1st Division.\n\n7\n\nCapture of the Ta-ku Forts.\n\nDESPATCH from Sir J. HOPE GRANT to Mr. Secretary HERBERT,\n\n(No. 38.)\n\nSIR,\n\nHead Quarters, Tang-ku,\n\nAugust 24, 1860. I HAVE the honour to report that after the capture of Tang-ku on the 14th instant, I commenced bringing up siege-guns and ammunition from Pehtang with a view to the reduction of the Uppermost Fort on the left bank of the Peiho, distant about two miles from Tang-ku.\n\nThe ground upon which it was necessary to advance was mostly of a very difficult nature, and intersected with broad and deep canals used in the manufacture of salt.\n\nI placed Major-General Sir R. Napier in charge of the advance, his Division being quartered in Tang-ku. Under his superintendence, bridges were thrown over these ditches and canals by Lieutenant-Colonel Mann, commanding Royal Engineers; and heavy guns, as per margin,* with a good supply of ammunition having been brought into Tang-ku, the 67th Regiment and an Armstrong Battery were pushed forward on the evening of the 19th, to within 2,000 yards, to cover the working parties making roads, bridges, &c. On the 20th the road was made practicable to within 800 yards of the Fort, batteries were traced, and the heavy guns were brought out ready to place in position by daybreak of the following day. The Chinese opened fire during the day, and were replied to by Captain Milward's Armstrong guns, at 2,000 yards range, with good effect, and the firing gradually ceased.\n\nDuring the night batteries were constructed for the heavy guns and mortars, and for one field battery, also for two 8-inch guns, which were brought up by great exertions from Pehtang during the night; and the whole were placed in position by daybreak of the 21st August.\n\nIt had been arranged with the Admirals that the gunboats should cross the bar that morning, and should engage the outer North Fort, and the flank of the outer South Fort, at the same time that the attack on the inner North Fort was commenced by the land forces.\n\nAt 5 A.M., however, the Chinese opened fire upon the troops from all their forts within range, and we were thus forced to reply an hour earlier than had been intended.\n\nThe Artillery was disposed as follows:-A French 24-pounder battery of 6 pieces, one English 8-inch gun, and two Armstrongs, played on the inner South Fort to keep down the fire they might otherwise have poured on our right flank. Two Armstrong guns and two 9-pounders fired from Tang-ku across the river at an entrenchment which flanked the French right; three 8-inch mortars were in the centre at 600 yards range, and to their left rear an Armstrong battery, two 32-pounder guns, and two 8-inch howitzers, all of which played on the Fort we were attacking. In addition to this, two 9-pounder guns, four 24-pounder howitzers, the remaining two Armstrong guns, and a rocket battery, were placed in the open ground about 800 yards in front of the Fort.\n\nThe storming party of Infantry consisted of a wing of the 44th, under Lieut.-Colonel MacMahon, and a wing of the 67th, under Lieut.-Colonel Thomas, supported by the other wings of those two regiments, and the Royal Marines under Lieut.-Colonel Gascoigne. A detachment of Royal Marines under Lieut.-Colonel Travers carried a pontoon bridge for crossing the wet ditches, and Major Graham, R.E., conducted the assault. The whole were commanded by Brigadier Reeves.\n\nThe fire of the Artillery was most effective, the guns of the Fort (of which many were of very large calibre), were speedily silenced, and at about 7 A.M. the magazine blew up with a terrific explosion. A few minutes later the magazine in the outer North Fort was also exploded by a shell from the gunboats.\n\nThe field guns were all advanced to within 500 yards of the fort, and redoubled their efforts.\n\nThe fire of the Forts having almost entirely ceased, a breach was commenced near the gate, and a portion of the storming party was advanced to within 30 yards to open a musketry fire, the French Infantry being on the right, the English on the left.\n\nThe fire of our Artillery being thus partially compelled to slacken, the enemy emerged from their cover, and opened a heavy fire of musketry on our troops.\n\nThe French, under General Collineau, immediately pushed on to the salient next the river, crossed the wet ditches in the most gallant manner, and established themselves on the berm, from whence they endeavoured to escalade the walls; this, however, they were unable to effect, from the vigorous resistance of the Chinese.\n\n* Two 32-pounder guns, two 8-inch howitzers, three 8-inch mortars, three 5-inch mortars.\n\nB 2", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-079 - Public Offices - 1860.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 250264, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-079 - Public Offices - 1860", "page_number": 414, "title": "CO129-079 - Public Offices - 1860", "content_text": "The efforts of the Sappers to lay down the pontoon bridge were unavailing; no less than fifteen of the men carrying it being knocked over in one instant, and one of the pontoons destroyed.\n\nAt this juncture, Sir R. Napier caused the two howitzers of Captain Govan's battery to be brought up to within 50 yards of the gate, in order more speedily to create a breach, and a space sufficient to admit one man had just been made when our storming party (now joined by the head-quarters' wing of 67th, under Colonel Knox) who had partly crossed by the French bridge and partly swum over, forced their way in by single file in the most gallant manner, Lieut. Rogers, 44th Regiment, and Lieut. Burslem, 67th Regiment, being the first to enter, when they assisted in planting the regimental colours of the 67th, carried by Ensign Chaplin, who first planted them on the breech (assisted by Private Lane, 67th Regiment), and subsequently on the cavalier, which he was the first to mount. At the same moment the French effected their entrance, and the garrison was driven back step by step, and hurled pell-mell through the embrasures on the opposite side.\n\nHere the same obstacles which had impeded our advance, obstructed their retreat; in addition to two wet ditches and two belts of pointed bamboo stakes, there was swampy ground, and a third ditch and bank.\n\nThe storming parties opened a destructive fire on them from the cavalier, and this was enhanced by the cannister fire of Captain Govan's guns which had been moved to the left of the fort for this purpose.\n\nThe ground outside the fort was literally strewn with the enemy's dead and wounded: three of the Chinese were impaled on the stakes. A few fugitives reached the outer North Fort, which opened fire to cover their retreat, and was answered by the Armstrong guns with good effect.\n\nAbout an hour after this the whole of the forts on both sides of the river hauled down their war banners, and hoisted flags of truce. General Montauban and I sent each an Officer to ask their meaning, and summon them to surrender, but they only received an evasive and insolent reply, and were defied to come on to the attack.\n\nAccordingly two fresh regiments, the 3d Buffs and the 8th Punjaub Infantry, having been brought up, I advanced to attack the outer North Fort. Two 8-inch guns were placed in position against it; the other siege guns could not be brought up.* The field batteries were placed at 800 yards' range on an arc encircling the left and front, the French guns on our right. Not a shot was fired by the enemy, and the Allied Infantry pushed on, crossed the ditches, and scaled the walls, without meeting any opposition; the garrison of 2,000 men being made prisoners.\n\nThis Fort was stronger than the first. They are all constructed on the same plan, being Redoubts with a thick rampart heavily armed with guns and wall pieces, and having a high cavalier facing seawards, the guns of which were all turned in towards us; they have two unfordable wet ditches, between which and the parapet sharp bamboo stakes were thickly planted, forming two belts, each about 15 feet wide, round the fort, an abattis encircling the whole, and further covered by pieces of water, which force an advance to be made only on a narrow front.\n\nTowards evening the garrisons of the South Forts were observed to be evacuating them, and detachments of English and French were passed over in ships' boats, and occupied them. There is not now the trace of an enemy near us, and the whole of the forts and entrenched camps are in our hands, containing about 400 guns, many of which are of very large calibre.\n\nIt is difficult to account for the confusion and uncertainty which seemed to pervade the enemy when the first fort fell; but it now appears that the general in command was killed, and the second in command was either killed or missing; and the confusion caused by this, together with the severe lesson received in the first fort, rendered them incapable or unwilling of further resistance.\n\nI cannot conclude this Despatch without expressing my sense of the very valuable services of Major-General Sir Robert Napier, who conducted the attack, and whose assistance has been most useful.\n\nThe service of the Artillery under Brigadier-General Crofton was most excellent; its effects I have already described.\n\nThe engineering operations were conducted by Lieutenant-Colonel Mann; and, lastly, I must bring to notice the gallant conduct of the storming party, which was commanded by Brigadier Reeves, who, himself severely wounded in three places, did not quit the field until he had conducted his men into the Fort.\n\nThe wounded were removed as soon as possible into Tang-ku, where every arrangement for their temporary reception was made by Dr. Muir, the Principal Medical Officer.\n\n*The guns of the cavalier of the captured fort were manned and turned on it.\n\nMany others, both officers and soldiers, behaved in a manner deserving of being mentioned; but want of time does not permit me to treat of it in this despatch, and on a future occasion I shall do myself the honour of bringing their names to your notice.\n\nI would also wish to inform Her Majesty's Government how cordially and sincerely our French Allies have co-operated with us, as well as the admiration I feel for their gallant conduct in the field.\n\nGeneral de Montauban has always shown every disposition to act thoroughly in concert with me, and to co-operate in every manner in his power.\n\nThe services of the gunboats will doubtless be brought to notice by the Naval Commander-in-Chief, and I beg here to record what a valuable and efficient colleague I have found in Admiral Hope, whose unwearying exertions throughout the whole campaign, and in discharging the numerous duties of transporting this large force to the seat of war have contributed greatly to the success of operations.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed) J. HOPE GRANT, Lieut.-Gen.\n\nCommanding Her Majesty's Forces in China.\n\nThe Right Honourable\n\nThe Secretary of State for War,\n\nSIR,\n\n&c\n\n&c.\n\n&c.\n\nDESPATCH from Major-General Sir R. NAPIER to Sir J. Hope Grant.\n\nHead Quarters, Tang-ku, August 24, 1860.\n\nTHE 2d Division of the China Force occupied the fortified camp and village of Tang-ku on the 14th instant, and the four succeeding days were devoted to the severe labour of bridging the numerous canals which intersect and surround the work, of making raised causeways through the broad spaces of the interior which are inundated at every tide, and of making roads to the front for heavy Artillery, in preparation for advancing on the Northern Forts of Taku.\n\nHaving received the sanction of the Commander-in-Chief to commence operations against the Fort which lay nearest to my position, I advanced on the evening of the 19th a strong picket, composed as per margin, to the border of a series of canals which surround the enemy's position. The Engineers, under the direction of Lieut.-Colonel Mann, immediately commenced passages across the broad canals to my front and left. My right was comparatively open and bounded by the Peilo. Tartar village and cantonment gave some cover on the left bank. The right bank was studded with strong batteries, which, together with the nearest of the Southern Forts, were capable of giving a severe flanking fire against our line of advance. An attempt to avoid this, by making a way through a series of salt works, consisting of deep canals and broad reservoirs, which protected the enemy's right, was unsuccessful.\n\nThe labour of the night of the 19th, during which nearly my whole picket was on the working parties, advanced us to a distance of 800 yards from the Fort.\n\nOn the morning of the 20th, the Commander-in-Chief visited the positions, and the sites of the batteries were determined on.\n\nUp to this time the enemy had apparently taken no notice of our proceedings, but about 11 A.M. they opened from both of the Northern Forts, from the South Forts, and from the battery on the right bank, thus developing their whole fire. This was of material advantage in guiding my subsequent proceedings.\n\nThe fire from the Fort under attack was immediately replied to most effectively by a few rounds of Milward's Armstrong guns, at a range of 2,000 yards, and after a time the firing gradually died away, without loss on our side.\n\nDuring the night of the 20th the batteries were completed by the Engineer Department, and the remaining canals in front were bridged, so as to give access to the ground, and convert them into valuable cover.\n\nDuring this day the force was strengthened as per margin.\n\nThe Artillery for the batteries was passed to the front during the night, and placed in position before daylight, with the exception of one 8-inch gun, which got so deeply embedded in the mud that it could not be extricated until morning,\n\nAn aide-de-camp from General Collinôt informed me at dusk, on the evening of the 20th, that the French force destined to share in the attack had arrived.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-079 - Public Offices - 1860.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 256231, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-091 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1863 [1-3]", "page_number": 559, "title": "CO129-091 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1863 [1-3]", "content_text": "No 80 81863.\n\nInclosure No 2 in Despatch:\n\nHome's comments on Moody, R. E., Letter from Colonel Commanding, Kowloon.\n\n30 March, 1863\n\nRemarks (Copy)\n\nSir,\n\nGarrison Office, Hongkong, March 19th 1863.\n\nIn reply to your letter No 270 of the 17th March 1863, I have the honor to forward for the information of His Excellency the Acting Governor a copy of the report requested. I beg to add that no record of this report is at this office, and the enclosed copy was made at the P. M. O's Office, General Hospital.\n\nThe assembly of the Committee was probably directed in General Orders.\n\nI have etc.,\n\n(signed) G. M. Reeves, Colonel, Commanding Garrison.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-091 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1863 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 256580, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-092 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1863 [4-6]", "page_number": 337, "title": "CO129-092 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1863 [4-6]", "content_text": "two Briefings, on the 15th and 17th Instant; and I enclose the minutes for your N.3. Grace's information.\n\n12.\n\nI hope that the proceedings taken will meet with approval.\n\nyour Grace's\n\n13. The Gunboats in ordinary to the number of our 6 are getting their Guns on board and can be manned and made ready for sea with Soldiers and hired Seamen from the blockading fleet at 6 hours notice. The batteries, four in number (earthen) being actively thrown up, Hongkong, 2, in Kowloon side, mounting 17 heavy guns, and I have every reason to trust that through the energy of Colonel Reeves, C.B., the Commandant of the Garrison, Captain Nolloth, R.N., and Lieutenant Colonel Moody, R.E., the defences that it is in our power to make in the emergency will be ready within a very short time after the arrival of the incoming mail, or at least by the time that the \"Jamestown\" would require to reach this after receiving from this a declaration of war. I had ... that I should add that though these measures have been proposed and adopted on my responsibility the Council strongly supported the propositions, and Captain Nolloth and Colonel Moody on consultation by the Council, fully concurred\n\n14.\n\nCorrected errors and applied formatting according to the given rules:\n\n1. \"Bricetings\" -> \"Briefings\"\n2. \"humiles\" -> \"minutes\"\n3. \"oor\" -> \"our\"\n4. \"Guns on bound\" -> \"Guns on board\"\n5. \"Scammen\" -> \"Seamen\"\n6. \"brochant\" -> \"blockading\"\n7. \"(carthen)\" -> \"(earthen)\"\n8. \"Hougtong\" -> \"Hongkong\"\n9. \"huns\" -> \"guns\"\n10. \"R. St.\" -> \"R.N.\" (Royal Navy)\n11. \"R. R.\" -> \"R.E.\" (Royal Engineers)\n12. \"NA\" removed as it seems to be an OCR error or unrelated to the text.\n13. \"mensures\" -> \"measures\"\n14. \"Mail news\" seems out of place, but was left as is due to rule 7.\n15. Formatted the text into paragraphs.\n16. Added `...` to indicate a missing word.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-092 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1863 [4-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 256589, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-092 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1863 [4-6]", "page_number": 346, "title": "CO129-092 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1863 [4-6]", "content_text": "Colonel Reeves stated that Colonel Moody was engaged in carrying the military works under his charge, and Captain Nolloth reported that the manning of the Gunboats with all was progressing actively, - adding that H.M.S. Scout would probably be in harbour before long, and then work at the Southward was completed.\n\nThe Acting Governor observed that a force of 45 men belonging to this Garrison had been told off on 4 October last for duty at Canton, but that under present appearances it was very likely they would be recalled to drill here.\n\nThe Commandant said that he had anticipated this, and 10 of the 45 had already been ordered back to Hongkong. Satisfactory progress being thus reported, the Council adjourned.\n\n(signed) W. T. Mercer, Acting Governor.\n\nRead and approved, this 22nd day of June, 1863\n\n(signed) F. d'Almada e Castro, Clerk of Council\n\nTrue Copy\n\nF. d'Almada e Castro, Clerk of Councils.\n\nPage 340\n\n \n\nwas replaced with proper nouns and spellings \nPage 340\n\n is kept as is. Here is the revised response in HTML as requested:\n\nColonel Reeves stated that Colonel Moody was engaged in carrying the military works under his charge, and Captain Nolloth reported that the manning of the Gunboats with all was progressing actively, - adding that H.M.S. Scout would probably be in harbour before long, and then work at the Southward was completed.\n\nThe Acting Governor observed that a force of 45 men belonging to this Garrison had been told off on 4 October last for duty at Canton, but that under present appearances it was very likely they would be recalled to drill here.\n\nThe Commandant said that he had anticipated this, and 10 of the 45 had already been ordered back to Hongkong. Satisfactory progress being thus reported, the Council adjourned.\n\n(signed) W. T. Mercer, Acting Governor.\n\nRead and approved, this 22nd day of June, 1863\n\n(signed) F. d'Almada e Castro, Clerk of Council\n\nTrue Copy\n\nF. d'Almada e Castro, Clerk of Councils.\n\nPage 340", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-092 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1863 [4-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 256626, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-092 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1863 [4-6]", "page_number": 383, "title": "CO129-092 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1863 [4-6]", "content_text": "2\n\nSince that date another has arrived from Europe, and the risk of danger, which is common with the Leads, and which both the Executive Council and myself had acknowledged, has now somewhat diminished.\n\n3\n\nI enclose for your information the proceedings of an Executive Council held on the 22nd instant.\n\n4. Your Grace will perceive that Captain Nolloth considered it expedient to withdraw for a time 2 Gun Boats from the Coast; there were at Amoy and Foochow, and the overlooking of the Ports of Swatow and Formosa had already been entrusted to them, but Captain Nolloth writes me he had consulted some of those most interested in those ports, and their Opinion supported the order he had given.\n\n5. At the same time Captain Nolloth (who was unable to attend the Council) advised proceeding with the Land Batteries, and Colonel Reeves accordingly undertook to have them advanced.\n\n6. But the Council resolved that it would be unnecessary", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-092 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1863 [4-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 256899, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-093 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1863 [7-10]", "page_number": 257, "title": "CO129-093 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1863 [7-10]", "content_text": "Garrison Office,\n\nHongkong, 4th August, 1862\n\nI have the honor to forward the enclosed account for Batteries at Wonghong, and Kowloon for consideration of His Excellency the Acting Governor, as the Major General Commanding being referred to decisions ordering the payments thereof, he considers the Colonial Government ought to pay for defenses erected for Colonial security.\n\n...\n\n[Signature]\n\nColonel Reeves to Colonial Secretary\n\nNo. 605.\n\nForwarding Correspondence respecting payment of the expenditure incurred in the recent construction of ...\n\nwith the Military Authorities.\n\nThe 4 Batteries ...\n\nare not yet complete.\n\n[Some text appears to be missing or heavily corrupted due to OCR errors.]\n\nReceived 1 Inclosure.\n\nN 161.\n\n4 Batteries.\n\nMr. ... to He Duke of Newcastle.\n\n2.44.\n\nWepy/Mo.\n\n256\n\n...\n\nPage 10\n\n \n(Three lines at the bottom indicating the page number are kept as is, assuming they were part of the original scan: not shown here due to format)", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-093 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1863 [7-10].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 256902, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-093 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1863 [7-10]", "page_number": 260, "title": "CO129-093 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1863 [7-10]", "content_text": "Mr. Gils\n\nColonial Secretary to Colonel Reeves :\n\nColonial Secretary's Office,\n\nHongkong, 14th August, 1863\n\n259\n\nI have the honor to acknowledge your letter of the 10th instant enclosing an account for the Batteries recently erected here and at Kowloon, and intimating that the Major General Commanding declines ordering payment thereof as he considers that the Colonial Government ought to pay for these defences.\n\nIn reply I have to state that His Excellency The Acting Governor, Colonel Reeves, C.B., Commandant of Hongkong.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-093 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1863 [7-10].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 256912, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-093 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1863 [7-10]", "page_number": 270, "title": "CO129-093 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1863 [7-10]", "content_text": "Rifle Association; that Colonel Reeves - the Commandant of the Garrison in my Command - on hearing expressed his their approval of the Anniversary in May last; and that Capt. Tanner, the Instructor of Musketry to the 69th Regiment, who has had charge of their drill and practice reports very favorably of the Corps.\n\n15. I beg to enclose Mr. Tanner's report, which I hope Your Grace will pronounce satisfactory.\n\nI have the honor to be, My Lord Duke, Your Grace's Most Obedient Servant, Sir J. Rogers. 24. Oct.\n\nThis reports the second instance in which the Hong Kong Volunteers have been found to be much regretted to have not been supplied with Arms until the corps has provided itself with Weapons from this country.\n\nAnd that it would be desirable to learn whether the application W. R. 24 Oct. Should be justified in making the application.\n\nI am fully aware that such band & formal cups' an liste Kat am Sø the world is walled in by real massacre that troops in case of Emerging would be things by things deprecate proceedings of this kind, which are calculated to arouse Discontent & Unrest when it is at least desirable that calm prevail.\n\n24/10 M. But (strictly speaking) Mr. Mercer's interpretation of the War Office circular is correct, but then it was as expected that such a contingency would arise.\n\nMr. Mercer evidently doubts the Correctness of his statement. If War Office stating that the Duke has learnt with much regret that, the Volunteer Force in HK has for the second time been deprived (without a reference home) of the Artillery Carriages which were from the Military store, and express a hope that some means may be found.\n\nPage 270\n\nPage 271", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-093 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1863 [7-10].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 257414, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-094 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1863 [11-10]", "page_number": 350, "title": "CO129-094 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1863 [11-10]", "content_text": "In 15:24644\n\npurport proposed; viz 240 feet water frontage from Wardley House.\n\nI have, say,\n\n4\n\naligned...\n\nGM Reeves Colonel\n\nBarrison.\n\nCommanding\n\n1 True Com.\n\nMalexander\n\nActing\n\nColonial Secretary\n\n(Copy)\n\na\n\nLine\n\nfor your\n\nHongkong 9th May, 1850-\n\n346\n\nWe have the honour to inclose for your Excellency information therewith printed copies of certain \"Proposals\" issued by the Trustees of the Morrison Education Society for the establishment of a Public Library in Hongkong,\n\nwhich\n\nIn the interview with your Excellency we lately favoured us we were gratified to learn the interest which you took in this project, and to have your assurance that the question of its practical support by the Colonial Government would receive consideration.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-094 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1863 [11-10].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 258564, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-097 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1864 [1-2] & Sir Robinson - 1864 [1-3]", "page_number": 100, "title": "CO129-097 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1864 [1-2] & Sir Robinson - 1864 [1-3]", "content_text": "Garrison Office,\n\nHongkong, 27-1-\n\nCertified as being correct\n\n1-64\n\n(Signed) by Mr. Reeves Colonel Commanding Garrison.\n\n(Fair Copy)\n\nAlexander\n\nHoustoun 18. 2697 Entered\n\n22nd March 1867\n\nThe Under Secretary of State\n\nMIN\n\nWar Office\n\n1. Rolmson\n\nActing Colonial Secretary.\n\n3\n\n441716.\n\nAus? 3359\n\nSir,\n\nI am directed\n\n98\n\nZ\n\nThe Wake When earth\n\nI have to state that a letter has been received from the Acting Hong Kong Government stating that £213 are due\n\nTo that Colony for the Maintenance of Military\n\nPrisoners confined\n\nin Victoria Gaol during\n\nthe\n\nYear 1863, and I am to request that", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-097 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1864 [1-2] & Sir Robinson - 1864 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 575320, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-590-22 Situation in enemy occupied Hong Kong 19-1-1943 - 20-11-1943", "page_number": 161, "title": "CO129-590-22 Situation in enemy occupied Hong Kong 19-1-1943 - 20-11-1943", "content_text": "# MOST SECRET AND CONFIDENTIAL\nCopy No.2.\n\nReference: `INT/H/150` dated 18th December 1942.\n\nTo: Military Attache, H.B.K.Ambaggy, CHUNGKING.\n\nFrom: Colonel L.T.Ride, C.O., B.A.A.G. KWILIN.\n\nSubject: Interview with Dr.J.F.Fehily.\n\nDr. J.F.Fehily, formerly Senior Health Officer, Hongkong, and his wife (also a doctor) left Hongkong on the 25th October and arrived here via MACAO and KWANG HOW WAN on the 24th November.\n\nAfter the surrender, he was free as an Irish third national and was told by Dr.Clarke that he was to work with the Japanese in Kowloon. He refused. Clarke sent him to Colonel Uguohi, but neither Gimson nor any other of our officials had any foreknowledge of the arrangement at all. Fehily absolutely refused to work for the Japanese.\n\nAfter this, he was warned by a Japanese shipping friend, whom he had known before the war, that he was in their bad books, and so he began to plan to get away, first with the American exchangees as Consul, and then via Russia. Both these methods failed, and he had to leave via Macao. Permission had been given for Fehily to leave the colony before Fujita's warning.\n\nHe made a trip to Macao some months ago and carried some of our messages back to Hong Kong. He was also instructed by Dr. Clarke to ask Reeves to send Stott back to Hong Kong.\n\nBoth Fehily and his wife are anxious to join the H.K.S.\n\nI quote here my interview with him taken down verbatim and would like to emphasise that he preceded all his remarks by a statement about GIMSON, the Colonial Secretary. He said, \"Before I say anything at all, I feel it my duty to ask you to report on the wonderful work done by Gimson. Magnificent is the only word one can use to describe him. Without him and SLOSS, things would be very different in Hong Kong.\"\n\nIn reading the remarks concerning the attitude towards doctors escaping, it should be remembered that the famous \"three months\" story is still firmly believed in Hong Kong. They still believe we are about to retake the place and that they will all just walk out of Stanley to their houses on the Peak and to their offices. Clarke wants to keep all doctors so that he will have his service intact.\n\nThey have plans all ready prepared, and the reference to Perdue is one of them. He was passed over when E.Fennfather-Evans was put in charge of the Police in Hong Kong, and it appears that this has made Perdue believe he is finished. In the opinion of Olsen and Sloss, Perdue is the man who should be in charge of the Police immediately the Japanese leave, and they state that he should get out of the camp now as an Irish third national and make preparations.\n\n## Report\n\nAbout the beginning of October, the B.B.C. in Singapore broadcast that arrangements had been made for the payment of the dependents of their Volunteers through the International Red Cross. Elwyn-Clarke and Gimson did not know if this also applied to the dependents of Hong Kong Volunteers... It had been between Clarke and Uguchi, with Clarke telling him everything had been arranged.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-590-22 Situation in enemy occupied Hong Kong 19-1-1943 - 20-11-1943.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 579576, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-592-6 Reports on current situation- including weekly intelligence reports 18-9-1945 - 20-12-1945", "page_number": 118, "title": "CO129-592-6 Reports on current situation- including weekly intelligence reports 18-9-1945 - 20-12-1945", "content_text": "NOTE G.\n\nCanton Consulate and contact with Macao. The Hong Kong Administration are particularly keen on the re-establishment of our Consulate-General at Canton. I have explained the manpower shortage. The proposal now is to appoint Lieutenant Colonel Hooper of British Army Aid Group as Hong Kong Liaison officer in Canton and this is being cleared by Brigadier MacDougall and Colonel Ride with the Cantonese authorities. I think that we might, as soon as we are told that Canton agree, so inform the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and suggest that Colonel Hooper should move into the Consular premises pending the appointment of a Consul-General.\n\nAs to Macao, Reeves has been invited at my suggestion to go to Hong Kong for a short visit and is expected there on October 7th, a seaplane or launch being sent across for him. He can fix up arrangements for direct contacts. Meanwhile the R.A.F. have agreed to fly the son of the Portuguese Governor back to Portugal as a gesture of cooperation from Hong Kong.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-592-6 Reports on current situation- including weekly intelligence reports 18-9-1945 - 20-12-1945.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 } ]